Dayton can clinch playoff spot with win

DAYTON - Dayton High's football team can clinch one of the last two 3A playoff berths tonight when it hosts Spring Creek.

Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.

Dayton is 5-3 overall and 3-3 in Northern 3A play under first-year head coach Rob Turner. Spring Creek is 3-3 in league play.

If the Dust Devils win tonight, they would clinch the fifth playoff spot. Lowry, Truckee, Elko and Fallon are already in the playoffs. Dayton does have the hammer over Fallon in a tie-break situation. If Spring Creek wins it will clinch a spot.

"I don't pay much attention," Turner said. "I just want to win the game and get into fourth place.

"I think the kids knew (the scenario). When I talked to them today it didn't seem to be a surprise. They are still steamed at losing to Elko, but penalties and turnovers will get you every time. Now we'll probably have to go back to Elko instead of getting to host them game here."

Getting a win tonight won't be easy, according to Turner.

"They run that off-shoot Winged-T and Power I," Turner said. "They are strong and get a great surge off the ball.

"One thing I noticed is that they pass a lot more than they have in the past. We have a pretty good pass defense and hopefully we can continue that."

Spring Creek's top offensive threat is Ryan Hoyos, who rushed for 159 yards against South Tahoe. According to Turner, Hoyos was a freshman quarterback and sat out the last couple of years.

Hoyos has rushed for 930 yards and nine scores, while Nick CdeBaca has rushed for 336 yards and three scores. Quarterback Travis Spring has passed for 495 yards.

"He (Hoyos) hits the hole hard," Turner said. "He's a good runner."

The Dust Devils are led by their three-pronged rushing attack of Tyler Firestone (865 yards), Cody Yeater (486 yards) and Sean de Rubertis (298 yards).

Turner said his son, Jake, who is the team's No. 2 quarterback will suit up but is not likely to play. The younger Turner hasn't participated in any workouts this week because of illness. Coach Turner said he's been working with other players as emergency fill-ins.